The American Civil War and Reconstruction: Presidential Reconstruction (Lincoln & Johnson)

The American Civil War (1861-1865) ended in Union victory, but the struggle for true equality for African Americans was far from over. The period of Reconstruction (1865-1877) focused on rebuilding the South and integrating formerly enslaved people into American society.

1. Lincoln's Vision: A Path Toward Reconciliation

⭐President Abraham Lincoln, dedicated to preserving the Union, envisioned a swift and lenient Reconstruction. His Ten-Percent Plan (1863) aimed to reintegrate Confederate states by offering amnesty to most Southerners who swore loyalty to the Union.
The plan also allowed for the creation of new state governments once ten percent of the voting population in a former Confederate state pledged allegiance.
Lincoln believed that reconciliation between North and South was crucial to healing the nation's wounds. He emphasized forgiveness and a gradual approach to granting political rights to Black Americans.

2. The Rise of Opposition: Radical Republicans and the Freedmen's Bureau

⭐Radical Republicans in Congress, like Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner, pressed for a stricter approach to Reconstruction. They pushed for more significant social and political changes in the South.
They opposed Lincoln's plan, arguing it was too lenient on Confederate leaders and did not adequately protect the rights of freed people.
In 1865, Congress established the Freedmen's Bureau, an agency tasked with providing assistance, education, and land to freed people. This organization played a critical role in helping freedmen navigate their new freedoms and access basic resources.

3. Lincoln's Assassination and the Rise of Andrew Johnson

Sadly, Lincoln’s moderate vision for Reconstruction was cut short by his assassination in April 1865. Vice President Andrew Johnson took over, a Democrat with a complex history on race and slavery.
Johnson shared Lincoln's desire for a quick return to normalcy, but he held different views on the treatment of freed people. He believed that Black Americans should not be granted immediate political rights.

4. Johnson's Reconstruction: A Divided Path

Johnson's approach leaned toward the Southern perspective and he opposed the Radical Republican agenda. He pardoned many Confederate leaders and implemented his own lenient reconstruction plans.
He allowed the South to regain control of state governments, often dominated by former Confederates who sought to limit Black rights.
Johnson's actions sparked fierce opposition from the Radicals, leading to a conflict between the President and Congress.

5. The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

The growing divide between Congress and Johnson reached a boiling point. When Johnson removed a Radical Republican Secretary of War, the House of Representatives impeached him for "high crimes and misdemeanors."
The Senate trial fell short of removing Johnson from office by a single vote.
This conflict, however, solidified the political divide and fueled the struggle for true Reconstruction in the South.

5.5 The Legacy of Presidential Reconstruction

While Lincoln's vision of a more lenient approach to uniting the nation was thwarted by his assassination, his efforts laid the groundwork for the next phase of Reconstruction.
Johnson's presidency showcased the difficulty of reconciling with the South while protecting the rights of freed people.
The conflict between the President and Congress highlighted the complexity of Reconstruction and the challenges of rebuilding a nation torn apart by war.

Moving Forward: The story of Reconstruction is filled with complexities and contradictions. The next phase, led by Congressional Reconstruction, will see the rise of powerful political and social movements, challenging the status quo and fighting for full equality for African Americans.